In a move clearly proving their hypocrisy, the Democrats voted against their own bill to provide all West Virginians with a reduction in the state income tax. The Republicans called the bluff of the so-called party of the workingman and proved that the Democrat’s bills are not written to pass, but to garner votes for the upcoming election.

Sponsored by Billy Wayne Bailey (D-Wyoming) and co-sponsored by 17 other Democrats, you would think the bill would have had a chance to pass, but that is not how the Democrats work. Can I tell you their little secret? Every session the Democrats sponsor bills they do not support. These bills are held in committee and never voted on so they will not have to show their true beliefs. When on the campaign trail, they can then look a constituent in the eye and tell them they sponsored the bill, but it somehow did not get passed. “Send me back to the legislature,” they deceitfully say, “and I’ll fight to make sure the sucker gets through.”

The Republicans are wising up. Now they are using parliamentary procedures to call for a vote to discharge the bill from the committee and get it on the floor for a vote. Because the Democrats to not want to vote directly against the cloistered bill, they invariably shoot down the motion.

Yesterday Senator Barnes (R-Randolph) moved to discharge SB674 from committee. The Democrat’s vote against the motion showed their true colors: to a man, they proved they are against their own bill.

The bill would have increased the personal income tax exemption. Personal tax exemptions reduce your taxable income on your tax return. For instance, if an individual earned $35,000 in a year and the exemption was $10,000, they would pay taxes on only $25,000 of their income.

It is something the Republicans have introduced for several years now and it is something the workers of West Virginia need. The exemption is currently $2,000 for individuals and $2,000 for joint returns. The Democrat’s bill would have increased the number to $12,500 for singles and $25,000 for joint returns.

With bills like this clogging up the legislature, the Democrats have turned the session into a 60-day swindle. It is clear to those inside the dome that they play a game with West Virginia’s wellbeing and hope those on the outside will never find out.

But now it’s too late: you already know.